Abstract
Background In the era of value-based health care, providers are increasingly focused on delivering greater value to improve quality and reduce cost. Value Improvement provides the tools and techniques to empower frontline teams to achieve transformational outcomes in harm reduction, utilization of resource and improved team culture.
Objectives Apply Macro to Meso-system approach to Value Improvement to achieve national system wide strategic objectives. Apply Value Improvement methods to apply innovative approaches to build new evidence to reduce waste, harm and cost whilst improving multi-disciplinary team work and joy in work. Learn how to successfully scale up and spread value Improvement across a health system (figure 1).
Methods Value improvement focuses on improving performance, capacity & finance measures by achieving reliable care delivery eg early discharge, reduced rejected samples, reduction in falls, reduction in waste and consumable costs, whilst increasing joy in work. It has 3 components: Box Score, Visual Management Board and Weekly Multi-Disciplinary 15 minute Huddles. It was initially piloted, evaluated, spread to 2/6 units and 35 teams across the healthcare system. The audience would apply some inter- active learning to understand all key concepts and how to apply in their own setting
Results 24% decrease in rejected samples. Patient discharge before 1 pm reached 90% & sustained. 24% reduction in cost of consumables (figures 4, and 6). Improve theatre utilization to 80% (figure 7) and sustaining. 36% reduction in average waiting time in recovery (figures 2, 3, and 5).
Conclusions The Value Improvement approach offers a systematic method for continuously improving and innovating on a daily/weekly basis to achieve demonstrable results. This changes team culture as the team work to improve multiple projects to meet the needs of our patients, family and staff. By focusing attention and reporting out each week numerous improved measures created a way to engage staff in continuous innovation and improvement.
